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Chapter 6

"Not a sound." Tezuka whispered, suddenly transported to another time and place. A place of imminent danger.

A fierce protective urge pounded through him. He pressed Fuji closer,arms around him,his body between him (Fuji) and the danger.

Somewhere in the back of mind was the knowledge that he liked having Fuji's body next to his own. But, he would think of that later.

Hackles stood stiff on the dog's backs. A low growl emanated from Hunter. He,too, wanted to protect Fuji.

Tezuka kept his eyes on the danger above them, praying the fire would drive it away.

"Stay calm,"he commanded,slowly taking his hand from Fuji's mouth,"and clam the dogs."

Again Tezuka's voice was quieter than death, a mere sigh on the wind.

For one moment, Fuii obeyed.

And then he came unglued.

A sharp elbow caught Tezuka in the gut. Air woofed from him. He cursed himself for a fool. Any ranger new better not to let his guard down.

Fuji spun away,eyes wide and furious. He fought,kicking,swinging his arms. Tezuka caught his wrist,warding off blow after blow.

Fuji was a wild thin. Completely unexpected. What was wrong this beautiful man?

Behind him Hunter growled deep in his throat. Tezuka had the thought that, at any moment, the dog would go for the lion or for him. And either way was not good.

"Fuji stop,"he managed to say between punches."I'm not trying to hurt you. There's a lion. A lion."

The next punch died in midair."What?"

"A mountain lion. On the overhang above."

Wide-eyed,he swung around and looked up."Where? I don't see anything."

Tezuka spun too. The lion was gone. "Our noise and movements must have frightened him off."

Fuji looked at him,eyes narrowed in suspicion. If Fuji hadn't been badly shaking,Fuji's suspicion would have angered him. He wasn't accustomed to having his motive questioned.

The dogs moved in between them. Tails in between their legs,whining softly. Hair stood up on their backs. They'd been trained not to pay attention to wild animals, but the lion gotten their attention.

Fuji went to his knees, visibly trembling."They're spooked. Maybe there was a lion."

Tezuka's jaw hardened."There was. I saw it. He was on the edge,crouched,ready to pounce."

Fuji's gaze flew up to his."On us?"

"The way it looked to me,probably on one of the dogs."he knelt beside him, wanting to touch him in apology but worried he'd go off again. "I'm sorry if I scared you."

Fuji move away. His reply caught him off guard."You've been in the military, haven't you?"

He sat back,searching his face,puzzled by the came-out-of-no-where question."Army ranger, ten years. Where did that come from?"

Fuji regarded him cautiously. He hadn't liked him before and probably never would. And Tezuka still had no idea why. All he'd done was try to protect him.

"Military." Jaw tight, his chin bobbed. "That's what I thought. Stealth and attack, no one sees it coming."

Tezuka narrowed his eyes at the indictment in his tone.

"What are you? One of those bleeding hearts that hate the military and consider us all baby killers?"

Yeah,he'd killed a few people but they all are bad guys. Not that he was proud of that. -_-"

Fuji shook his head and pushed up to his feet. His face pale. He began tossing supplies into his backpack."Never mind. We need to get moving. It's going to snow."

Tezuka grabbed his arms to stop him from moving away."I don't think so. Not until we talk. What just happened here?"

Fuji's gaze dropped into his fingers wrapped around his arms."Please let go."

"Not until you explain to me. What was that all about?"

"I owe you nothing."

The chill in Fuji's tone sliced him like a razor. He dropped his hand."True enough,but I owe you."

The switch caught him (Fuji) off guard. He stood,breath rapid, the scent of fear flowing from him in waves,glaring at him with enough amount of heat to start a forest fire. What had he (Tezuka) done? Why had he (Fuji) reacted so violently?

He glared him back. Trying to read him but coming away empty.

Maybe he wasn't worth the trouble. He should just give it up and do this job alone. Who needed a prickly,angry suspicious partner in the dangerous mountain wilderness anyway?

But, damn it! Who was he kidding? He was indispensable. He'd(Tezuka) grown up in this mountains, but spending a lot of time in the army, everything have changed so much. He would need years to learn everything that Fuji already knew. His experience and expertise far surpassed his.

Besides, something told him that his attitude was an outward shell developed for protection,though,he don't know what.

But he was exceptionally kind to his dogs, seeing to their needs first before his own. He never complain about the cold,the long hours of hike or of hunger or of fatigue. He simply worked.

"Thanks for your help up here," Tezuka said, though gratitude was hard to express on the heels of Fuji's fury, he meant every word."I don't know if I've told you before,but I'm grateful. I couldn't make this happen without your help."

Fuji swallowed hard and nodded. "Better get moving."

Then with a jerk movements, he began cleaning up the camp.

Hands on his hips,Tezuka watched Fuji for a second then, began his own cleanup.

Fuji Syusuke didn't trust him.

And Tezuka Kunimitsu took that as a personal challenge.

~X~O~X~

By day six, Tezuka thought they might be making progress. Fuji talked to him more. Yet, he still walked behind him,still watched him with those strange, blue eyes, and still jerk away if he got too close.

"I can't work on this project tomorrow,"Tezuka said. Though Fuji trailed along behind him,he was close. "The office work is piling up. Even if I work on weekends and during nights, I still can't keep up."

"S'okay, I can continue the work without you around."

He was afraid he would say that. He slanted a look in his direction. In profile, he was pretty,very pretty for a guy and soft-looking. Only when he turned and aimed those chilling eyes at him did he appear tough and wary.

"Isn't tomorrow you bring back home Chase from the hospital?"

His mouth curved. He had a great mouth. A few times he'd wondered what Fuji'll do if he kiss him. but, he figured he knew it already and the thought wasn't pretty.. At all.(^_^)" he still bore a purple bruise on his shin from one of his kicks.

The thought brought a grin. Spunky, tough little boy. He didn't know why but, Fuji's a challenge he couldn't back down from.

"Tomorrow's the day,"he said."I can't wait to see him."

Fuji removed one of his gloves and slid his reddened fingers beneath his sweatshirt. Tezuka was tempted to offer the inside of his jacket for him to use. He wouldn't mind warming his fingers-or any parts of him for that matter

Tezuka frowned at the wayward thoughts. what was wrong with him today?

"I'll take off tomorrow,too, and work in the office," he said. "Probably the rest of the week." There has been some problems."

Fuji shifted toward him, and again, his thoughts misbehaved.

"What's wrong?"

"I missed a meeting yesterday. The weird part is, I didn't even know about it. But the council..."

A positive PR was essential to the longevity of his department. If he perceived as doing a poor job, he'd be out at the year's end.

"I don't get it. Why would they be upset if you hadn't been informed?"

"That's the problem. They claimed to have sent a written invitation,followed by a phone message. But I don't remember receiving either one."

One eyebrow twitched."Losing your memory, Ranger Tezuka?"

"If I am, the loss is extremely selective."

He'd gone over and over in his mind, but the information was not there. Someone else must have gotten the message while he's out and forgotten to give it to him. And maybe the written invitation was somewhere at the bottom of those pile of papers that he needed to work out.

"We could avoid this area, take a different route."

"There's an old primitive cabin farther on. I say we cross here and map that area. It's just the sort of place a hunter or hiker might stumble upon for shelter."

"Can't argue that. Come on. You first." Tezuka offered his hand to steady Fuji's descent.

He drew away, one hand in a stop sign. "I can manage."

"I know you can. Humor me." Tezuka raised his arms in a shrug. " I'm bigger than you and I'm your employer. If I let you fall, my image will be smashed to heck."

Fuji made a funny noise at the back of his throat. Tezuka could almost swear that Fuji wanted to laugh. "Oh, be honest. You're just afraid that if anything happens to me, you'll lose your wilderness guide."

Tezuka's eyebrows lifted in the slight amusement, the first time Fuji ever teased him.

A smile bloomed in his chest. Yep. Progress.

He snapped his fingers in the mock resignation. "Gee. You figured out my ulterior motive. So,now you have to protect my fragile ego and let me assist you."He reached back to him. "Toss your bag down."

He did what he was told,surprisingly without any argument for once. Maybe they were getting somewhere. Tezuka was so anxious to win his trust,though he couldn't say why.

He's been kidding about his importance as his guide.

When he grasped his outstretched hand, Tezuka experienced a measure of victory. He tightened his muscles, determined not to let him fall.

With his free hand,Fuji jabbed a pole into the ground for extra security,but halfway down the skid took over and the pole bounced down with him. Tezuka, who'd scaled mountains and cliffs,jockeyed for balance,expecting to find it. But, he didn't.

They both lose control at the same time. Boots grated as their feet slid out from under them. they slide down fast and finished the journey on their bottoms and backs.

As soon as Tezuka's boots thudded against the ground he sprung upright. "Are you all right?"

He rushed to Fuji's side and touched his shoulder. He rolled away and up, laughing. "That was fun."

Hands on his hips, Tezuka stepped back and laugh, he was relieved that he was all right and because of his amusement. "Yeah. It is."

"Want to do it again?" Fuji asked.

Apparently, Fuji Syusuke was a kindred spirit.

Tezuka grinned, admiring his rosy cheeks and pink nose. "I have a feeling that we have to, at some point."

Fuji held his gaze, lips tilted.

The dogs skidded down, too. But unlike the humans, they arrived on all four feet, tongues lolling,eyes alight with fun on the ride. They dance around Fuji's feet, eager to get his attention. He didn't disappoint them. Going to one knee,he ruffled their fur and murmured sweet praises. He was different with the animals. His guard was down all the time. In the dog's company he was softened and gentle.

With a smile, Tezuka watched the three. "I just have one question, my wilderness guide."

"What's that?" he glances up

"How are we going to get back up there?"

His pleasure turned to puzzlement, and then he burst into laughter again. The sound was musical, as pretty as bird's song, just like that morning when he saw him laughing at the cabin.

"You should do that more often," Tezuka said,while studying Fuji's face,watching those eyes. Enjoying the play of pleasure in his face.

"Do what?" he asked,grinning."Fall down in the mountain?"

Tezuka reached out to brush the bangs from his eyes. "Laugh."

"Oh." He turned his head then, breaking contact so that he was forced to drop his hand.

Fuji leaped to his feet, and off brushed some dirt drom his bottom. It was a nice bottom,though,Tezuka we wouldn't notice. But notice he did. This rugged petite little guy looked curvy and feminine in his ski suits and jeans. He wondered if he had any idea how sexy he was. Probably not.

When he turned his smile was gone, and his guard was up. Again.

"Move it, Tezuka-kun. The Daylight's waning." he hoisted his backpack and started off.

So much for progress. Tezuka thought.(-_-)"

~X~O~X~

The next day, Fuji drove to the vet and brought Chase back to the cabin. His old buddy had lost weight. But he was standing and walking on those repaired knees, and he was verry much happy because his partner was finally as good as new.

Hunterwas ecstatic but cautiously sniffed Chase's knees as if he understood that his partner couldn't play yet.
"Seven or nine weeks,Hunter. Be patient."

Telling him the instructions for the dog's care and proper rehab, the vets were confident that they'll be working again in the future. And he was very happy to hear that, very happy that he almost wished he have someone to share that. But there was no one.

But, Tezuka invaded his mind too often lately. But, as always, he'd pushed him away.

Once Chase was settled, Fuji placed the bag of medicane and instructions on the table and took out the bill.

He's paid with the newly aquired credit card. His stomach knotted with the knowledge that he had a debtup to his ears. but as long as his new job and nerves held out, he could make the payments.

Yesterday's trek with Tezuka had been easier for some reason. Tezuka seemed harmless than he'd first thought,less military, almost gentle at times. And he liked his laugh.

He went into the bedroom and stood infront of the mirror that belonged to his grandparents. The object looked out of place in his simple cabin. But he liked the oval shaped and the smooth mahogany tree.

He pushed his bangs back from his forehead,remembering the feeling of having Tezuka's fingers on he's skin. Why had he touched him that way? He didn't like other person touch him. It made him uncomfortable.

But he remembered Tezuka's touch. It's different. There had been tenderness in him. A hard military man with tenderness. But for him, the word military and tenderness just don't mix.

From the weak sunlight coming in from the window, the tiny scar gleamed white and ugly.

Had the sharply observant Tezuka Kunimitsu seen the scar?

With a shiver,he released his hair. The bangs fell forward, covering the past.

He removed his town clothes, as he called those items that are reserved for trips into to civilization,he remained in front of the mirror. He pressed his hand down, at the side of his hips. He had a feminine body. And he's aware of that. His body was fit, thanks to his work with the dogs. But the boy who looked back at him from the mirror was ordinary, plain even, except for the strange blue eyes with the egdes of gold that caused more than one person to make rude remarks.

Not that he cared. He wasn't attractive and didn't want to be.(At least that's what the thought :D) The least peole notice him, the more they left him alone.

But he couldn't help wondering what kind of woman appealed Tezuka. Surely,he had one. A man that good-looking and masculine always had woman.

Does he even notice me? Fuji thought.

"Stupid." he said to the petite figure in the mirror."Even though you look like a woman,you're still a guy. He wouldn't like you."

Realizing what he just said. He mentally slapped himself and then went to his closet for his outdoor gear.

The dogs had yet to be excirsed and there was training needed to be done.

He was pulling to his boots when the telephone rang. Probably the vet checking on Chase.

THe boot thumped againts the hardwood of the kitchen floor as he headed to the bedroom to asnwer the call. "Hello."

"Hey. How's Chase doing?"A deceptively soft voice caressed his ear.

His stomach took the nosedive. It wasn't the vet. It was Tezuka.

"Good, I think. He's lost weight but he's happy to be home.

"He missed you." Just that simple declaration caused a curt of pleasure as bright and lovely as birthday ribbon."Can he walk?"

"Better than he could and the vet says his strength and flexibility will improve every day. He has to do special exercises."

"He must be doing well. You sound happy."

The ribbon of pleasure streched higher,turning his lips into a smile."Ecstatic. Oh,Tezuka,I think he's going to do really well. They're sure he'll work again. And I am,too."

"."

A quiet hum ensued. Fuji searched for a word to say. "Are you in the office?"

"Yeah."

"How's it going?" he's stopped short of saying he'd missed him today. Had he? Maybe. He wasn't sure. He pressed the receiver closer to his ear. " Are you back on the council's good graces yet?"

"I've been kissing up s little, making calls. Took the mayor for lunch."

"Any clue what happened?"

"I have ab idea,but no evidence. I never found the invitation, so it arrived in this office, someone else opened it."

He knew he was a one-man office, so harried secretary wasn't to blame. "That sounds bad. Do you think someone delibetarely hid the message from you?"

"I wish I didn't"

"But you do."

"Yes, I do."

"Why? Why would anyone want to make you look bad?"

"Everyone has enemies, I guess. Hard to believe, I know since I'm such a lovable guy."

Fuji laughed. And when he did, Tezuka chuckled.

"Do it again,"he said.

"Do what again?"

"Laugh. You're cheering me up."

H remembered then. He liked his laugh. He grew conscious, also remembering that a man like him was bound to have women.

"Don't you have someone at home to cheer you up?" he wished he didn't asked, but there it was.

"Nobody at home but me. Not even a dog."

"You don't have a dog?" he transferred his odd feeling of relief to incredulity. "You must remedy that situation. Everyone needs a dog."

He pressed the receiver between his shoulder and ear, walking around the room as they talked. It was a habit he couldn't break, always moving, even on the telephone. Using a ragged sock, he begun dusting the spare furniture.

"Eventually, I'll get one. I've been looking. Maybe the next time a go to Chiba. But you have to come along to make sure I pick up the right dog."

Fuji stopped from what he's doing. "I-I don't think so."

"Ah, come on. Why not? A trip to Chiba,get a dog and relax for a bit."

He shockhis head, aware he couldn't see the motion. Dread replaced the pleasure.

He picked up the framed photo on his dresser and stared at the smiling family.

He'd lived in Chiba. He'd also died in Chiba.

Here in the top of the world,alone with his dogs, he was safe. Better keep it that way.

~O~

done...

What do you think of Fuji in this chap?

review..please :)